As Hilda entered the room and looked at him, she was startled at the change in him. The hue of his face had changed from its ordinary sallow complexion to a kind of grizzly pallor. His hands shook with nervous tremulousness, his brow was contracted through pain, his eyes had a wistful eagerness, and he seemed twenty years older.
"You do not look like a bearer of good news," said she, after shaking hands with him in silence.
Gualtier shook his head mournfully.
"Have you found out nothing?"
He sighed.
"I'm afraid I've found out too much by far."
"What do you mean?"
"I hardly know. I only know this, that my searches have shown me that the mystery is deeper than ever."
"You seem to me to be very quickly discouraged," said Hilda, in a disappointed tone.
"That which I have found out and seen," said Gualtier, solemnly, "is something which might discourage the most persevering, and appall the boldest. My lady," he added, mournfully, "there is a power at work which stands between you and the accomplishment of your purpose, and dashes us back when that purpose seems nearest to its attainment."